That rise was apparent this week when Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated predicted Manziel would be drafted No. 10 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles in his latest NFL Mock Draft.

“Mariota is the rather obvious match here — he played for Chip Kelly at Oregon and is thriving in the offense Kelly left behind,” Burke said. “The MMQB’s Greg Bedard reminded us, though, that Kelly recruited Manziel partially because Johnny Football played in a high school offense similar to Kelly’s attack. This one would be a lot of fun if it happened.”

But Manziel’s meteoric rise up the mock draft board isn’t the only Aggie name on the list. For a second year his blindside blocker is at the top of most draft boards as Jake Matthews was picked by Burke to be selected No. 6 to the St. Louis Rams.

“Rodger Saffold is a pending free agent and, more to the point, he has been unable to stay healthy over the past three seasons,” Burke said. “Matthews could drop right in at right tackle for a couple years, then slide over to left tackle when Jake Long’s St. Louis days are up.”

For a total of three A&M players taken in the first round, Manziel’s favorite receiving target, Mike Evans, is slotted to go off the board to the Cleveland Browns at No. 17.

“As trade rumors swirl around current Cleveland receivers Josh Gordon and Greg Little, the possibility of landing both a top-flight QB and an elite WR should have Browns fans feeling giddy,” Burke said. “Don’t be surprised if Evans winds up being the most productive 2014 wide receiver.”

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